Vice-Dale County
Vice-Dale County is the primary county in the state of Leonida and the home of Vice City in Grand Theft Auto VI. Based on Miami-Dade County, Florida, it is the most densely populated county in Leonida and contains the majority of the game's urban districts, landmarks, and story locations.
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Overview
Vice-Dale County is the most populated and urbanized county in the state of Leonida. It is the primary setting for Grand Theft Auto VI, containing Vice Cityall of its surrounding districts. The county is based on Miami-Dade County, Florida, the most populous county in the real-world state of Florida and the cultural and economic heart of South Florida.
As the central county in the game's mapVice-Dale County contains the densest concentration of missions, activities, businesses, and points of interest. The vast majority of the game's story takes place within its borders, from the neon-soaked nightlife districts along the coast to the quieter residential neighborhoods further inland.
Real-World Inspiration
Vice-Dale County directly parallels Miami-Dade County, Florida. Miami-Dade is the most populated county in Florida, with over 2.7 million residents as of the 2020 census. It encompasses the city of Miami, Miami Beach, Hialeah, Coral Gables, and dozens of other municipalities. The name "Vice-Dale" combines the series' iconic "Vice City" branding with a nod to "Dade," preserving the recognizable connection to the real county.
Districts and Neighborhoods
Vice-Dale County encompasses all of Vice City's districts and neighborhoods. These range from beachfront resort areas to working-class urban cores. This reflects the socioeconomic diversity of Miami-Dade County.
District | Description | Real-World Basis |
|---|---|---|
Beachfront tourist district with art deco architecture, nightclubs, and hotels | South Beach / Ocean Drive, Miami Beach | |
lively Hispanic neighborhood with Latin culture, restaurants, and street life | Little Havana, Miami | |
Haitian-American neighborhood with Caribbean culture and local businesses | Little Haiti, Miami | |
Arts and culture district with street murals and converted warehouses | Wynwood, Miami | |
Downtown | Financial district with high-rise buildings, corporate offices, and upscale shopping | Downtown Miami / Brickell |
Residential and commercial transition zone between downtown and outer suburbs | Overtown, Miami | |
Exclusive island chain with luxury mansions and waterfront properties | Venetian Islands / Star Island, Miami Beach | |
Vice Beach | Extended beachfront area north of Ocean Beach with resorts and condominiums | Mid-Beach / North Beach, Miami Beach |
Residential area with Seminole cultural influence | Allapattah, Miami | |
Working-class suburban neighborhood | Brownsville, Miami | |
Quiet residential suburb on the outskirts of Vice City | Homestead, Florida | |
Upscale inland residential community | Riverside, Miami | |
Mixed-use area blending residential and tourist activity | Washington Avenue area, Miami Beach | |
Leaf Links | Golf course and country club area for the wealthy | La Gorce / Indian Creek |
Key Infrastructure
Vice-Dale County contains the most important transportation and logistics infrastructure in Leonida.
Vice City International Airport: The primary airport serving Vice City, located in the western part of the county. Based on Miami International Airport.
VC Port: The main shipping port for Vice City, handling both commercial cargo and cruise ship operations. Based on PortMiami.
I-404 Highway: A major interstate highway that connects Vice-Dale County to other counties in Leonida, running north-south through the state.
Metrorail / Transit System: An elevated rail system serving the urban core, visible in trailer footage.
Neighboring Counties
Vice-Dale County is surrounded by four other counties that together make up the state of Leonida. Each county has a distinct character and landscape.
County | Direction | Character | Real-World Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
North / East | Suburban, residential | Broward County | |
Northwest | Rural, less developed | Collier / Lee County | |
Northwest | Rural, agricultural | Hendry County | |
Southwest | Coastal keys and islands | Monroe County (Florida Keys) |
Key Facts
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Name | Vice-Dale County |
Real-world basis | Miami-Dade County, Florida |
Contains | |
Population rank | Most densely populated county in Leonida |
Major airport | |
Major port | |
Notable districts | Ocean Beach and Little CubaDowntown, Venetian Islands and Rockridge |
Trivia
Miami-Dade County was originally named Dade County until 1997, when residents voted to rename it to reflect the prominence of the city of Miami. The "Vice-Dale" name similarly combines the city name with the county suffix.
Vice-Dale County appears to contain the largest proportion of accessible interior locations in the game, consistent with its role as the primary urban hub.
The county encompasses both the wealthiest neighborhoods in Leonida (Venetian Islands, Leaf Links) and some of the most economically challenged areas. This reflects Miami-Dade's real-world socioeconomic contrasts.
In the original GTA: Vice City (2002), the game map represented only a small portion of what Vice-Dale County covers in GTA VI, focusing primarily on the beach and downtown areas.